Based on an analysis of state data from the National Climatic Data Center, the ECRPC report found that heavy rain and snowstorms now occur in Colorado every 9.6 months on average, instead of once every 12 months on average.

Research derived from ponderosa pine forests in the Southwest indicates that while low-severity surface fires are common historically, today’s large-scale forest fires are enabled by fire-suppression efforts and other human activities.

Research suggest that mountain pine beetles are maturing faster than previously thought with two generations of young bugs attacking vulnerable pine forests throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West.